Online Will Writing Courses — Learn From Home

Online learning has transformed professional training. For will writing, it's become the preferred route for most career changers — and for good reason.

Learn at Your Own Pace

No fixed schedules or attendance requirements. Study when it suits you — early mornings, lunch breaks, evenings, or weekends. Progress as quickly or slowly as your circumstances allow.

For career changers juggling jobs, families, and other commitments, this flexibility is essential. You don't need to take time off work or rearrange your life to study.

No Travel Required

Everything happens on your computer or tablet. No commuting to training centres, no expensive hotel stays for residential courses, no fuel costs. Learn from your sofa, home office, or anywhere with internet access.

Replay and Revisit

Didn't quite catch that explanation of trust wills? Replay the video. Need to refresh your memory before seeing a client? Go back to the relevant module. Online content remains accessible, unlike a classroom lecture that happens once and disappears.

Often More Affordable

Without the overhead of physical premises, instructors' travel, and printed materials, online courses are typically cheaper than classroom equivalents. Some, including ours, are completely free.

Fit Around Family and Work

The primary reason most people choose online will writing courses is practical: they need to fit training around existing responsibilities. Parents can study during school hours or after bedtime. Employees can train evenings and weekends without asking for time off.

Quality Matches Classroom

A common concern is whether online training is "as good as" classroom training. The honest answer: it depends on the course, not the format. A well-designed online course with video content, interactive exercises, and good support can equal or exceed classroom quality. A poorly designed course will be poor regardless of format.

The key is choosing the right course — see the comparison below.

Here's how the main online will writing courses in the UK compare:

Become An Estate Planner (Our Course)

• •Cost: FREE
• •Duration: 2-4 weeks (self-paced)
• •Format: Lessons, interactive quizzes, case studies
• •Content: Wills, LPAs, trusts, client consultations, business setup
• •Software: WILLO (£150/month)
• •Support: Ongoing community access, mentor support
• •Certificate: Yes

Best for: Career changers, anyone wanting to test the profession without financial risk, those who want software included.

Society of Will Writers (SWW) Online

• •Cost: £400-800 depending on level
• •Duration: Self-paced, typically 4-12 weeks
• •Format: Mixed online materials, some live elements
• •Content: Comprehensive will writing curriculum
• •Software: Not included
• •Support: Forum access, requires membership
• •Certificate: Yes (SWW qualification)

Best for: Those committed to professional body membership who want industry credentials.

Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) Distance Learning

• •Cost: £300-600
• •Duration: Self-paced
• •Format: Primarily text-based with some multimedia
• •Content: Core will writing and LPAs
• •Software: Not included
• •Support: Email support, requires membership
• •Certificate: Yes (IPW qualification)

Best for: Those wanting IPW qualification who prefer text-based learning.

CTT Group Online

• •Cost: £1,000-2,000+
• •Duration: 5 days (live online sessions)
• •Format: Live Zoom sessions, not self-paced
• •Content: Comprehensive estate planning
• •Software: Their system included
• •Support: Ongoing technical support
• •Certificate: Yes

Best for: Those wanting intensive training with live instruction and willing to invest more.

Key Differences

The main variations are:

• •Price: From free to £2,000+
• •Self-paced vs scheduled: Most are self-paced; CTT runs live sessions
• •Software inclusion: Our course and CTT include software; others don't
• •Ongoing support: Varies significantly between providers
• •Professional body tie-in: SWW and IPW courses lead to their membership; others are independent

Not all online courses deliver equal value. Here's what separates effective training from time-wasters:

Video Content (Not Just PDFs)

Reading dense text on a screen is hard. Good online courses use video explanations, demonstrations, and visual examples. You should see and hear instructors explain concepts, watch software demonstrations, and observe consultation techniques.

Red flag: Courses that are primarily downloadable PDFs or text documents.

Green flag: Professional video content with clear explanations and examples.

Interactive Elements

Passive watching isn't effective learning. Quality courses include:

• •Quizzes that test understanding
• •Case studies you work through
• •Exercises that apply concepts
• •Practice scenarios

Red flag: "Watch videos and you're done."

Green flag: Regular quizzes, case studies, and practical exercises.

Tutor Support or Q&A Access

You will have questions. Good courses provide ways to get answers:

• •Email access to tutors
• •Community forums where questions are answered
• •Live Q&A sessions
• •One-to-one support options

Red flag: No way to ask questions or get help.

Green flag: Clear support channels with responsive tutors.

Software Training

Professional will writers use software to draft documents. If your course doesn't include software training, you'll need to learn separately — adding time and potentially cost.

Red flag: No software coverage or "use whatever you want."

Green flag: Training on specific software (like WILLO) that you can continue using.

Certificate on Completion

You'll need to demonstrate training to insurers and potentially clients. A certificate of completion provides this evidence.

Red flag: No certificate or recognition of completion.

Green flag: Clear certificate that details what you've learned.

Post-Course Support

What happens after you finish? The best courses don't abandon you:

• •Continued access to materials for reference
• •Community membership for ongoing questions
• •Updates when laws or practices change
• •Career guidance and support

Red flag: Access expires immediately after completion.

Green flag: Ongoing community access and support.

Our will writing course is fully online, completely self-paced, and entirely free. Here's exactly what you receive:

7 Professional Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Estate Planning

Understanding the industry, career paths, and day-to-day realities of will writing.

Module 2: Understanding Wills

The Wills Act 1837, legal requirements, types of wills, execution, witnessing, and common clauses.

Module 3: Creating Wills with WILLO

Hands-on training with professional will writing software. You'll draft documents using the system practising will writers use daily.

Module 4: Lasting Powers of Attorney

Both types of LPA, the registration process, common scenarios, and client explanations.

Module 5: Trusts & Estate Planning

Foundation knowledge of trusts — when to recommend them, main types, and how they protect clients.

Module 6: Client Consultations

Professional meeting skills: building rapport, asking effective questions, handling sensitive topics.

Module 7: Building Your Business

Getting insured, pricing services, finding clients, and establishing your practice.

Format and Features:

• •Lessons: Professional course content you can watch, pause, and rewatch
• •Interactive quizzes: Test your understanding after each section
• •Case studies: Real scenarios from practising will writers
• •WILLO software access: Professional drafting software at £150/month
• •Certificate: Demonstrate your training to insurers and clients
• •Ongoing access: Materials remain available after completion
• •Community support: Questions answered, guidance provided

Why It's Free

We don't believe the legal foundations of estate planning should be locked behind £1,000-2,000 training fees. Free training removes the barrier to entry and lets anyone serious about this career learn the law without taking financial risk.

We make money when graduates upgrade to our paid coached programme to build their business — but there's no obligation. Complete the free training, subscribe to WILLO, and run your own independent practice without ever paying us another penny.

Start Free Online Course →

This is one of the most common questions from prospective trainees. Here's an honest comparison:

When Online Is Better:

• •You need flexibility: If you're working, have family commitments, or can't take time off, online is the only realistic option
• •You're self-motivated: If you can study without external structure, online lets you progress at your ideal pace
• •Budget matters: Online courses are typically cheaper; some are free
• •You want to revisit content: Replay videos, re-read materials — classroom lectures happen once
• •Travel is difficult: No need to commute or stay away from home

When Classroom Might Be Better:

• •You struggle with self-discipline: Fixed sessions force attendance and completion
• •You learn best through discussion: Real-time interaction with instructors and peers
• •You value networking: Meeting other trainees can lead to referrals and support
• •Immediate feedback matters: Ask questions and get instant answers
• •You're fully available: If you can dedicate specific days without other commitments

The Reality

For most career changers, online is the practical choice. You're not a university student with clear schedules — you're fitting training around existing life responsibilities. Online courses accommodate this reality.

The quality question is about the course, not the format. A well-designed online course with good video content, interactive elements, and ongoing support delivers education every bit as good as classroom training. A poorly designed course will be poor regardless of delivery method.

Our View

Online training is sufficient for will writing. The profession involves learning principles and developing skills — both achievable through good online content. You'll develop confidence through client work, not classroom attendance.

If you're debating between formats, consider: which will you actually complete? A perfect classroom course you can't attend helps nobody. A good online course you can finish while working sets you up for success.

Online learning offers flexibility, but that flexibility requires discipline. Here's how to make the most of it:

Set a Schedule

Freedom to study anytime often means studying no time. Block specific periods for learning — perhaps 7-9pm on Tuesday and Thursday, or 10am-noon on Saturday. Treat these slots as appointments you can't miss.

Consistency matters more than duration. Regular short sessions are more effective than occasional marathon sessions.

Create a Learning Space

You don't need a home office, but you do need somewhere you can focus:

• •Minimal distractions (not in front of the TV)
• •Reasonable comfort (you'll be there for hours over the course)
• •Good internet connection for video streaming
• •Notepad or laptop for notes

Tell family members when you're "in training" so they understand you need focus time.

Take Notes

Don't just watch videos passively. Write down key points, questions that arise, and things you want to revisit. This active engagement significantly improves retention.

You'll also build a personal reference document for when you start seeing clients.

Complete All Exercises

It's tempting to skip quizzes or case studies, especially if you feel you "already understand." Don't. These exercises cement learning and reveal gaps in understanding before they affect real clients.

If a quiz shows you've misunderstood something, go back and relearn — better to discover this now than with a client.

Ask Questions

Good courses provide ways to get questions answered. Use them. There are no stupid questions, and issues you're confused about likely confuse others too.

Don't let confusion accumulate. Address each question before moving on.

Don't Rush

The goal isn't to finish quickly — it's to learn thoroughly. A certificate means nothing if you don't have the knowledge to serve clients properly.

Take the time each module needs. Some sections will click quickly; others require more work. That's normal.

Practice Between Modules

Where possible, apply learning before moving on:

• •Try explaining a concept to someone
• •Draft a practice will for a fictional scenario
• •Think through how you'd handle a case study situation

This integration of theory and practice makes knowledge stick.

Celebrate Progress

Completing each module is an achievement. Recognise your progress. Learning a new profession while managing other responsibilities isn't easy — give yourself credit for showing up.

Common questions about online will writing courses.